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Course Outline

PSYC3241

Psychobiology of Memory and Motivation

School of Psychology

Faculty of Science

T1, 2019

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1. Staff

Position Name Email Consultation times

and locations

Contact Details

Course

Convenor

Prof. Rick

Richardson

r.richardson@unsw.edu.au By appointment,

Mathews 511

9385 1048

Lecturer Prof. Rick

Richardson

r.richardson@unsw.edu.au By appointment,

Mathews 511

9385 1048

Lecturer Dr Bronwyn

Graham

b.graham@unsw.edu.au By appointment,

Mathews 1311

9385 3886

Lecturer Dr Kathryn

Baker

k.baker@unsw.edu.au By appointment,

Mathews 508

9385 0552

Tutor

2. Course information

Units of credit: 6

Pre-requisite(s): PSYC2001 and PSYC2081

Teaching times and locations: PSYC3241 Timetable

2.1 Course summary

This course examines research and theory on memory and motivation as they underpin adaptive

behaviour. The focus is primarily on animal research but the application of this work to the

understanding of memory and motivation in humans will be made explicit. For example, the

implications of this work for our understanding of memory disorders in humans, and the origin and

treatment of clinical disorders will be discussed. The laboratory component of the course will provide

“hands on” experience in observing various aspects of rodent behaviour that are frequently used in

studies on the psychobiology of memory and an opportunity for small group discussion/debate on

various issues relevant to the material described in the lecture component of the course.

Note that the “hands-on” part of the tutorial will involve handling and experimentation on

animal subjects (rats); this work will be group-work (e.g., groups of students will be doing any

particular task, and only some will need to actually touch the rats). The course is divided into the

following broad topics: basic concepts of memory; consolidation and reconsolidation; fear memory;

spatial memory; extinction of learned fear, and forgetting.

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2.2 Course aims

The overall aim of this course is for students to develop and gain further understanding of the

psychobiology of memory and motivation, with an emphasis on memory. Behavioural experiments

demonstrating the basic concepts associated with memory, and forgetting, will be described as will

experiments that are aimed at determining the neural bases of memory and forgetting.

2.3 Course learning outcomes (CLO)

At the successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of the theoretical perspectives, and empirical research relating to the biological basis of behavior, memory, forgetting, and motivation.

2. Understand and apply research methods used in psychobiology. 3. Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory-based behavioural research with rodents. 4. Demonstrate effective verbal and written scientific communication skills. 5. Be able to apply psychological principles to broader issues involving memory and motivation,

including their role in understanding human mental disorders.

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2.4 Relationship between course and program learning outcomes and assessments

Program Learning Outcomes

CLO

1. Knowledge

2. Research Methods 3. Critical Thinking

Skills

4. Values and

Ethics

5.

Communication,

Interpersonal and

Teamwork

6. Application Assessment

1.

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities, formative

quiz, discussion

forum

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities, formative quiz,

discussion forum

Formative quiz, Mid-

session exam,

Proposal, Final exam

2.

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities, formative

quiz

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities, formative quiz

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities,

formative quiz

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities,

formative quiz

Formative quiz, Mid-

session exam,

Proposal, Final exam

3.

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities

Mid-session exam,

Proposal, Final exam

4.

Tutorials, lab

practicals,

discussion forum

Proposal

5.

Lectures, tutorials, lab

practicals, online

activities, discussion

forum

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities,

discussion forum

Lectures, tutorials,

lab practicals,

online activities,

discussion forum

Mid-session exam,

Proposal, Final exam

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3. Strategies and approaches to learning

3.1 Learning and teaching activities

This course provides an advanced treatment of the neuroscience of learning, memory, and

motivation. It follows on, and assumes knowledge, from PSYC2081 Learning and Physiological

Psychology. This course is complementary to PSYC3051 Physiology Psychology in the sense that

both courses provide an advanced perspective on issues in biological psychology.

The laboratory component of the course will provide “hands on” experience in observing various

aspects of rodent behaviour that are frequently used in studies on the psychobiology of memory and

an opportunity for small group discussion/debate on various issues relevant to the material described

in the lecture component of the course.

Attendance is monitored in the tutorial/lab component of the course. Attendance at face to face

tutorials is essential in accordance with UNSW Assessment Implementation Procedure. Students are

required to attend at least 80% of tutorial/lab classes, and be punctual in this attendance (i.e., coming

late may mean that you will be marked as absent). Students should make sure that their name has

been marked on the class roll for each class that they attend. Failure to meet these specified

attendance requirements may result in course failure. Explanations for an occasional absence from a

class or requests for permission to be absent from a class should be discussed with the lecturer /

tutor, and where applicable, accompanied by a medical certificate.

The Discussion Forum on Moodle provides students with an opportunity to question and clarify course

content. Students are strongly encouraged to engage with this forum by posting questions or

comments, and reading, answering, or replying to other student’s posts to enhance understanding of

the content, critical thinking, and written communication skills.

An online formative quiz is available for students and provides an opportunity to evaluate

understanding of course material prior to the census date.

3.2 Expectations of students

It is expected that students are aware of UNSW Assessment policy and understand how to apply for

special consideration if they are unable to complete an assignment/exam due to illness and/or

misadventure.

It is expected that students have read through the School of Psychology Student Guide.

All news updates and announcements will be made on the ‘Announcements’ forum on the Moodle

page and/or by email. It is the student’s responsibility to check Moodle and their student emails

regularly to keep up to date.

The final exam for this course will take place during the UNSW examinations period. Students should

not arrange travel during the UNSW exam period until the date of the final exam has been released.

Students who arrange travel prior to the release of the final exam date will not be granted

consideration in the event they are scheduled to be out of country when the final exam is to occur.

This is especially important for study abroad students – do not arrange travel home until the final

exam date has been released.

Students registered with Disability Support Services must contact the course coordinator immediately

if they intend to request any special arrangements for later in the course, or if any special

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arrangements need to be made regarding access to the course material. Letters of support must be

emailed to the course coordinator as soon as they are made available.

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4. Course schedule and structure

Each week this course typically consists of 2 hours of face-to-face lecture material, 1.5 hours of face-to-face tutorials, and 8 hours of online modules and/or

self-determined activities (i.e. reading, work on assessments, exam preparation and revision).

Week Lecture topic/s Tutorial/lab topics Online modules Self-determined activities

Week 1

18/02/2019

Memory consolidation and

modulation

No labs Effects of stress on memory

Spatial memory

Reading on memory

consolidation; reading on

stress and memory

Week 2

25/02/2019

Memory reconsolidation How to write a research proposal; Play and USV animal demonstrations

Jove videos on neuroanatomy and

neural staining; interactive

exercises on writing

Reading on memory reconsolidation; revision; mid-semester exam prep; work on research proposal

Week 3

4/03/2019

Fear memory

Neurogenesis and memory

Hands-on animal exercises Formative quiz Reading on neurogenesis and memory; revision; mid-semester exam prep; work on research proposal

Week 4

11/03/2019

Development of fear memory Hands-on animal exercises Infantile amnesia lecture video

Effects of early-life stress on

memory development

Reading on fear memory development; reading on neural bases of learned fear; revision; mid-semester exam prep; work on research proposal

Week 5

18/03/2019

Transgenerational effects of stress on memory

Hands-on animal exercises Extinction lecture video;

Treating the effects of early-life

stress

Reading on transgenerational transmission of early-life stress; revision; mid-semester exam prep; work on research proposal

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Week 6

25/03/2019

Mechanisms of sex differences in extinction

Class presentations Sex differences in extinction lecture

video

Interactive revision poll

Reading on sex differences in extinction; revision; mid-semester exam prep; work on research proposal

Week 7

1/04/2019

Sex hormones and associative

learning; effects of motherhood

Class presentations Reading on sex hormones and memory; work on research proposal

Week 8

8/04/2019

Adolescence and fear regulation No labs Unlearned fear lecture;

Interactive revision poll

Reading on adolescence and fear regulation; work on research proposal

Week 9

15/04/2019

Spatial memory Ethics Reading on spatial learning in rats; reading on spatial memory across species; work on research proposal

Week 10

22/04/2019

Individual differences in memory Brain game Modulation of fear regulation in

adolescents lecture video

Reading on individual

differences in memory; work

on research proposal

Study

period

2/05/2019

Exam preparation, revision

Exam

period

6/05/2019

Exam preparation, revision

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5. Assessment

5.1 Assessment tasks

All assessments in this course have been designed and implemented in accordance with UNSW

Assessment Policy.

Assessment task Length Weight Mark Due date

Assessment 1: Formative quiz 3 MCQ & 1 short

answer

0% (formative) N/A N/A

Assessment 2: Mid-session exam

45 min 20% /100 29/03/2019

Assessment 3: Research proposal

1500-2000 words 30% /100 26/04/2019

Assessment 4: Final exam 2 hrs 50% /100 Exam period

Assessment 1: This online quiz will consist of 3 multiple-choice questions and one short-answer

question, and will be released on Friday 16 March. Students can take it whenever they wish, but it is

designed to provide some formative feedback in terms of whether the course material is being

understood. The answers are given at the end of the quiz.

Assessment 2: This 45-min exam (could consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and/or fill-in-the-

blank questions; more specific details will be provided prior to the exam) will be given on Thursday 29

March at 5- 6pm (i.e., in regularly-scheduled lecture time period). This exam will be based on lecture

material covered in lectures from February 26 - March 19 (first 7 lectures, all by RR), and the readings

for those lectures.

Assessment 3: This involves a written research proposal on a proposed experiment (based on

material/ideas covered in the course). An electronic version of the assignment must be submitted to

the course’s Moodle module by 4 PM on 26th April (Friday of Week 10) to allow for plagiarism checks

via Turnitin. Penalties will be imposed for late submission of this assignment (see 5.3), and for

plagiarism. The deadline for absolute fail (i.e., the date of submission after which the task will not be

assessed is 10th May).

Assessment 4: This 2-hr exam (which could consist of multiple choice, short-answer, and/or fill-in-

the-blank questions; more specific details will be provided prior to the exam) will be given during the

formal exam period. This exam will cover material from the lectures given after 19 March, and the

readings for those lectures.

UNSW grading system: https://student.unsw.edu.au/grades

UNSW assessment policy: https://student.unsw.edu.au/assessment

5.2 Assessment criteria and standards

Further details and marking criteria for each assessment will be provided to students closer to the

assessment release date (see 4.1: UNSW Assessment Design Procedure).

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5.3 Submission of assessment tasks

Assessment 3: In accordance with UNSW Assessment Policy the research proposal must be

submitted online via Turnitin. No paper or emailed copies will be accepted.

Late penalties: deduction of marks for late submissions will be in accordance with School policy (see:

Psychology Student Guide).

Special Consideration: Students who are unable to complete an assessment task by the assigned

due date can apply for special consideration. Special consideration applications must be submitted to

Student Central within 3 working days of the assessment due date along with a physical copy of the

supporting documentation. Students who have experienced significant illness or misadventure during

the assessment period may be eligible. Only circumstances deemed to be outside of the student’s

control are eligible for special consideration (see - https://student.unsw.edu.au/special-consideration).

In the case of take-home assessment tasks, misadventure must occur for at least 3 consecutive days

during the assessment period. If approved, students may be given an extended due date to complete

take-home assessments, or an alternative assessment may be set.

Alternative assessments: will be subject to approval and implemented in accordance with UNSW

Assessment Implementation Procedure.

Supplementary examinations: will be made available for students with approved special

consideration application and implemented in accordance with UNSW Assessment Policy.

5.4. Feedback on assessment

Feedback on all pieces of assessment in this course will be provided in accordance with UNSW

Assessment Policy.

Assessment When Who Where How

Formative quiz Immediate Richardson Online Moodle

Mid-session exam 12/04/2019 Richardson Online Moodle

Research proposal 10/05/2019 Tutor Online Moodle

Final exam TBA N/A N/A N/A

6. Academic integrity, referencing and plagiarism

The APA (6th edition) referencing style is to be adopted in this course. Students should consult the

publication manual itself (rather than third party interpretations of it) in order to properly adhere to

APA style conventions. Students do not need to purchase a copy of the manual, it is available in the

library or online. This resource is used by assessment markers and should be the only resource used

by students to ensure they adopt this style appropriately:

APA 6th edition.

Referencing is a way of acknowledging the sources of information that you use to research your

assignments. You need to provide a reference whenever you draw on someone else's words, ideas or

research. Not referencing other people's work can constitute plagiarism.

Further information about referencing styles can be located at https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing

Academic integrity is fundamental to success at university. Academic integrity can be defined as a

commitment to six fundamental values in academic pursuits: honesty, trust, fairness, respect,

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responsibility and courage.1 At UNSW, this means that your work must be your own, and others’

ideas should be appropriately acknowledged. If you don’t follow these rules, plagiarism may be

detected in your work.

Further information about academic integrity and plagiarism can be located at:

The Current Students site https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism, and

The ELISE training site http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise/presenting

The Conduct and Integrity Unit provides further resources to assist you to understand your conduct

obligations as a student: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

7. Readings and resources

Textbook Nil

Course information Available on Moodle

Required readings School of Psychology Student Guide.

Recommended internet sites UNSW Library

UNSW Learning Centre

ELISE

Turnitin

Student Code of Conduct

Policy concerning academic honesty

Email policy

UNSW Anti-racism policy statement

UNSW Equity and Diversity policy statement

UNSW Equal opportunity in education policy statement

8. Administrative matters

The School of Psychology Student Guide contains School policies and procedures relevant for all students enrolled in undergraduate or Masters psychology courses, such as:

Attendance requirements

Assignment submissions and returns

Assessments

Special consideration

Student code of conduct

Student complaints and grievances

Disability Support Services

1 International Center for Academic Integrity, ‘The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity’, T.

Fishman (ed), Clemson University, 2013.

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Health and safety

It is expected that students familiarise themselves with the information contained in this guide.

9. Additional support for students

The Current Students Gateway: https://student.unsw.edu.au/

Academic Skills and Support: https://student.unsw.edu.au/academic-skills

Student Wellbeing, Health and Safety: https://student.unsw.edu.au/wellbeing

Disability Support Services: https://student.unsw.edu.au/disability-services

UNSW IT Service Centre: https://www.it.unsw.edu.au/students/index.html